Cermak: Tough navigating this Erie byway

Marv Cermak, Covering Schenectady

Published 7:26 pm, Monday, July 1, 2013

Underneath desk debris I just discovered a June 1993 story I wrote announcing the formation of Schenectady 2000. The project goal was to use hundreds of citizen volunteers to map out and otherwise assist with the rebirth of a deteriorating city.

This revelation took place 20 years ago before dozens of community leaders meeting at Union College. The main speaker was professor Phillip Lewis, a University of Wisconsin landscape architecture specialist, who submitted a framework to upgrade the city.

His chief target was Erie Boulevard, a street wider and longer than most airport landing strips. ''This street is a huge, barren, concrete desert without life,'' said Lewis, suggesting tree-lined islands would shrink the pavement expanse.

Well, two decades later, Erie is in the midst of a $14 million facelift between the I-890 ramp and Union Street. Work was originally planned to start in 2009, but was delayed until last year. The job is expected to be completed by this fall.

None too soon for harried motorists trying to navigate changing construction barriers, lane switches and uneven pavement for a second construction season. Hundreds of commuters to Albany from Glenville and western Saratoga County round-trip this link to the Thruway.

The new boulevard will include Lewis' suggested tree-lined median, new street lighting, improved intersections and crosswalks, curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes. Under the roadway there will be new sewer and electrical services.

Interestingly, Lewis had also suggested sealing off Liberty Street between Jay and Lafayette to form a government square. Its centerpiece would be City Hall, which he described as more beautiful than many state capitals.

That brainstorm never made it to the drawing board.

A tale of 2 taverns

When learning of Troy's venerable South End Tavern going out of business, I wondered whether there were any similar longevity performances by Schenectady area watering holes.

The Troy landmark was founded way back in 1934. One of the longest tavern runs in Schenectady was compiled by the old Prokop's Tavern. The popular Mont Pleasant business opened in the 1920s and lasted until the '80s.

Like the South End Tavern, Prokop's was known for having a popular kitchen with great food at a fair price. When you walked in the place, you were hit with the aroma of chili, clam chowder, steak sandwiches, hot dogs covered with sauerkraut and so forth.

Many people who never frequented the Troy landmark recall it was the place with the "Ladies Entrance'' sign. The separate entrance enabled women to reach the dining area without navigating through male guzzlers in the bar room.

Prokop's also had a separate dining room entrance often used by women seeking to avoid the male bar crowd. But this door had no special signage for ladies.

New chief for Camp Chingachgook at 100

Al Aldi, well-known Capital Region educator, retired as assistant superintendent of the South Colonie School District several years ago.

Right off the rip, he hooked up with the Capital District YMCA. He served as vice president of organizational alignment before taking a second crack at retirement. He left the administrative position last January.

But lo and behold, last month he's back in the work force as director of Camp Chingachgook, the Y's summer operation at Lake George.

As an educator, Aldi also covered a lot of ground. He started his career In the Schenectady School District. He was a teacher at Mont Pleasant High before being named assistant principal at Linton High. He moved on to become principal at Columbia High where he worked until leaving for the Colonie position.

Aldi chose a busy year to sign on with Chingachgook. The camp, founded by the Schenectady YMCA, is celebrating its 100th anniversary.